Pride Of Jenni wound back the clock two years when she ran her rivals ragged to win the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington.
Success in the 2023 version of the Group 1 race for mares paved the way for Pride Of Jenni to a further two wins at the highest level along with the All-Star Mile leading to the mare being crowned Australia’s Champion Racehorse of the Year in 2023-24.
Pride Of Jenni was back at the Melbourne Cup Carnival 12 months later but was not in the same form with talk of retirement.
But it was the old Pride Of Jenni in the 1600m contest on Saturday where the mare stretched the field out leading by a conservative 10 lengths mid-race.
With Declan Bates in the saddle, Pride Of Jenni ($4.80) scored a 4-½ length victory from Leica Lucy ($4.20) with On Display ($26) a neck away third.
Bates had been aboard Pride Of Jenni through her 2023 and 2024 campaign but was ‘sacked’ after the running of last year’s Cox Plate and replaced by Ben Melham.
Craig Newitt took over during the autumn before Bates was again given the tick of approval for this campaign.
Pride Of Jenni won the Feeham Stakes at Moonee Valley first-up before heading to Sydney where she was a brave sixth in the King Charles III Stakes.
Bates became emotional about getting back aboard Pride Of Jenni after losing the ride.
“She was retired, I was sacked, and that was all good, everyone was OK, but to be standing here, winning another Group 1 is making me emotional,” Bates said.
Bates was unsure which Pride Of Jenni was going to turn up on Saturday as the mare was so relaxed cantering around to the barriers.
“After 100 metres in the race I knew we were winning,” Bates said.
“She got to her top nicely and kept extending every time I asked, I just knew there was nothing that could run us down.”
“She did get tired late but the job was done, she’s an absolute warrior of a horse.”
“You can do things on her that you just can’t do on other horses.
“Her ability to sustain a gallop is freakish, for her to keep coming back and doing it year after year, it’s such a credit to everyone involved.
“Ciaron’s done an amazing job to keep getting her back.
Tony (Ottobre) and Lynn, wonderful owners who absolutely adore her and to be a part of this horse, it’s amazing.”
